Some years ago, I gave a family member the NYRB printing of Butcher's Crossing by John Williams. The thank you note said that he had loved the book, but hated t

Some years ago, I gave a family member the NYRB printing of Butcher's Crossing by John Williams. The thank you note said that he had loved the book, but hated the introduction. I told him that I had been vaguely aware that book had an introduction, but hadn't read it and still might not. Generally, I don't read introductions, unless they are by the author.